Civil Aviation Authority
INFORMATION NOTICE
Number: IN–2013/191
Issued: 29 November 2013
Guidance for Owners of Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) with an EASA
Permit to Fly
This Information Notice contains information that is for guidance and/or awareness.
Recipients are asked to ensure that this Information Notice is copied to all members of their staff who may have
an interest in the information (including any ‘in-house’ or contracted maintenance organisations and relevant
outside contractors).
Applicability: Owners of Light Sport Aircraft and Aircraft Maintenance Organisations
Aerodromes:
Not primarily affected
Air Traffic:
Not primarily affected
Airspace:
Not primarily affected
Airworthiness:
Aircraft Maintenance Organisations
Flight Operations:
Not primarily affected
Licensed/Unlicensed
Personnel:
Aircraft owners, engineers
1.
Introduction
1.1
The CAA has previously published AIRCOM 2010/11 and Information Notice IN-2011/57 to
provide guidance to owners and potential owners of Light Sport Aircraft. This Information
Notice supersedes both AIRCOM 2010/11 and IN-2011/57, and is for owners of LSA aircraft
that operate under an EASA Permit to Fly. It provides updated information on the current
EASA position regarding transition and on the CAA’s relaxation of the requirement for a check
flight at Permit renewal.
1.2
A Light Sport Aircraft is defined as:
An aircraft having a maximum take-off mass of not more than 600 kg; a maximum stalling
speed in the landing configuration of not more than 45 knots Calibrated Air Speed (CAS); a
maximum seating capacity of no more than 2 persons; single, non-turbine engine fitted with a
propeller; a non-pressurised cabin.
1.3
It is intended that LSA aircraft currently on an EASA Permit to Fly will be certificated against a
defined EASA standard (CS-LSA). This will make it possible for LSA aircraft types to qualify
for an EASA restricted type certificate and for each aircraft of that type to merit an EASA
restricted certificate of airworthiness. Aircraft holding such certificates may legally be used for
a range of activities denied to aircraft holding Permits to Fly.
1.4
CS-LSA has been published by EASA and the first Restricted Type Certificates have been
issued allowing those aircraft types to qualify for a Restricted Certificate of Airworthiness.
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1.5
IN-2013/191
Although CS-LSA has been published, EASA has yet to finalise the process by which an
aircraft with an EASA Permit to Fly will be certificated. A transition plan has been provided on
the EASA website; it is recommended that owners make themselves aware of the content of
this document, which can be viewed via this link:
http://www.easa.europa.eu/certification/faq/docs/LSA%20Transition%20period.pdf
1.6
This Information Notice sets out the procedures to be used for the temporary issue of an
EASA Permit to Fly, renewable each year, prior to transition to an EASA Restricted Certificate
of Airworthiness.
2
Design and Production Standards
2.1
EASA’s current method for indicating its approval of the design of an LSA is to approve a
document entitled ‘Flight Conditions’ (EASA Form 18b). The ‘Flight Conditions’ document
indicates that EASA is satisfied that the specified aircraft is capable of safe flight under certain
defined conditions. This provides a basis upon which an LSA aircraft may qualify for an
EASA Permit to Fly only. The Permit is issued by a European State of Registry such as the
UK, on receipt of the EASA approval.
2.2
When EASA has established its transition process to certification against a recognised design
code, LSA aircraft may be eligible to be issued with an EASA Restricted Certificate of
Airworthiness. Unfortunately, it is not certain that LSA aircraft already issued with an
EASA Permit to Fly under the current arrangements will be eligible to transfer to a
Restricted Certificate of Airworthiness. It is important that owners of these aircraft ensure
that their aircraft remain in conformity with the latest approved ‘Flight Conditions’ and that all
supporting paperwork is retained. This will help to ensure that, when the full suite of EASA
regulations is in place, the best possible chance of a straightforward transition to a Restricted
Certificate of Airworthiness has been secured.
3
Application for the issue of an EASA LSA Permit to Fly
3.1
Applications for the issue of an EASA LSA Permit to Fly can be made by applying via the CAA
website, using this link:
http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=1413&pagetype=65&appid=54&mode=deta
il&appproc=46
The applicant will be asked to provide a copy of the EASA approved ‘Flight Conditions’
specific for the aircraft, a copy of the manufacturers post production test flight and a copy of
the Pilots Operating Handbook (POH). The CAA will arrange for a Surveyor to survey the
aircraft prior to issuing its Permit to Fly. To help owners ensure that the process runs
smoothly, the CAA recommends that owners arrange for an appropriately authorised person
or aircraft maintenance organisation to prepare and present the aircraft and its paperwork.
NOTE:
It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that the aircraft is correctly presented; this should not
be done through a commercial (sales) agent.
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4
Maintenance and Continuing Airworthiness
4.1
The European continuing airworthiness and maintenance requirements set out in Part M do
not, at present, apply to Light Sport Aircraft. Until it has established the appropriate regulatory
framework, EASA has agreed that National continuing airworthiness and maintenance
requirements for Permit to Fly aircraft should be followed. For the UK, the current
requirements are set out in CAP 553, British Civil Airworthiness Requirements (BCAR)
Section A Chapter A3-7 and can be accessed via the following link:
http://www.caa.co.uk/CAP553
5
Routine Maintenance requirements
5.1
All routine Maintenance should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations but must include the information specified in the EASA approved ‘Flight
Conditions’ as well as that provided by the airframe, engine and propeller manufacturers. The
CAA is prepared to agree to the use of alternative information, provided it takes full account of
the manufacturer’s documentation; such alternates need to be agreed with the CAA.
5.2
Except for maintenance permitted to be carried out by the pilot, appropriately authorised
personnel shall certify as fit for flight all maintenance by issuing a Permit Maintenance
Release in accordance with BCAR A3-7.
6
Aircraft Records
6.1
Aircraft, Engine and Propeller logbooks shall be kept in accordance with Article 34 of the Air
Navigation Order 2009, until such time as EASA implements Part M for this class of aircraft.
7
Configuration Control
7.1
Any changes to the aircraft configuration such as fitting a different radio or installing additional
equipment must be EASA approved. Approval of any change is achieved by EASA approving
a revision to the ‘Flight Conditions’. It should be noted that a replacement Permit to Fly will be
required, as reference is made to the Flight Conditions document on the Permit to Fly. Further
information on obtaining a replacement Permit to Fly can be obtained by contacting CAA
Applications and Approvals by telephone on +44 (0)1293 768374, or electronically using the
following e-mail address: apply@caa.co.uk
7.2
Where a manufacturer’s Service Bulletin has been published and embodied, the CAA
(supported by EASA) may accept that a revision to the EASA approved ‘Flight Conditions’ can
be delayed until the next renewal of the Permit to Fly.
NOTE:
7.3
The CAA has identified a number of examples where differences exist between the EASA
approved ‘Flight Conditions’ and the Pilot’s Operating Handbook. Owners are advised to
check their documentation to identify if there are any differences. Should any discrepancies
be identified, owners should notify the aircraft manufacturer. In all cases, the EASA approved
‘Flight Conditions’ are to be considered to be definitive. Any discrepancies discovered during
the initial issue process may hold up the issue of the Permit to Fly until the discrepancies are
resolved.
The content of any required placards and markings must also reflect the pertinent data set out
in the EASA approved ‘Flight Conditions’, if it differs from the information contained in the Pilot
Operating Handbook (POH).
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7.4
The configuration of the aircraft must be maintained to the approved standard. Changes
should only be made in accordance with manufacturers approved data and recorded in the
aircrafts records and certified by the issue of a Permit Maintenance Release as required by
BCAR A3-7.
8
Check flights
8.1
For initial issue of the Permit to Fly a check flight will be required to be performed either by the
CAA Flight Department or a CAA briefed pilot.
8.2
It is now no longer mandatory for a check flight to be conducted for the annual renewal of an
EASA Permit to Fly, see Safety Notice SN-2013/011.
8.3
The responsibility of deciding when a check flight is required, as part of the continuing
airworthiness oversight of the aircraft, falls upon the aircraft pilot-owner, maintainer or
continuing airworthiness management organisation (as applicable). Guidance material to
assist in the decision making process can be found in CAP 1038 Check Flight Handbook.
9
Occurrence Reporting
9.1
Reportable occurrences should be submitted to the CAA in accordance with CAP 382 and the
completed form should be sent to the following address: Safety Investigation and Data
Department, Aviation House, Gatwick, RH6 0YR, or in electronic form to the following mailbox:
SDD@caa.co.uk
10
Renewal of the EASA Permit to Fly
10.1
EASA Permits to Fly are valid for a maximum period of one year. Applications to renew the
Permit to Fly can be made by applying via the CAA website using this link:
http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=1413&pagetype=65&appid=54&mode=deta
il&appproc=46
10.2
Where the EASA approved ‘Flight Conditions’ have an expiry date of less than a year from the
date of expiry of the current Permit to Fly, it will be necessary for the aircraft owner to apply
and obtain from EASA replacement ‘Flight Conditions’, or send written confirmation at the time
of application that the owner is happy to receive less than one year validity on the Permit to
Fly to be issued, before the Permit to Fly can be renewed.
10.3
Where a change has been made to the aircraft through embodiment of a modification, it will be
necessary for the aircraft owner to apply and obtain from EASA replacement ‘Flight
Conditions’ before the Permit to Fly can be renewed.
10.4
An application should be made to the manufacturer for the revised ‘Flight Conditions’
document to be submitted to EASA for approval using EASA Form 37, available from the
EASA website at http://easa.europa.eu/certification/permit-to-fly.php
A copy of the updated EASA approved ‘Flight Conditions’ must be provided.
11
Aircraft Documentation and Manuals
Owners and operators are reminded of the need to ensure that they are using or referring to
the latest manufacturer supplied documentation and manuals. Regular checks should be
made by the owner to ensure that they have the latest revision of the documentation for the
aircraft.
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12.
Queries
12.1
Any queries or further guidance required as a result of this communication should be
addressed to Airworthiness Strategy and Policy at the following e-mail address:
Requirements@caa.co.uk
13.
Cancellation
13.1
This Information Notice shall remain in force until further notice.
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